Lacson: Expect ‘rough sailing’ in bid to prolong jail period of terror suspects

Sen. Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines— Amending the anti-terror law might face rough sailing in  the Senate if the period of detention for suspected terrorists would be extended  to 60 days or two months, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday.

The proposal to extend the jail period of arrested terror suspects from the existing 36 hours or three days was raised by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during the hearing of the Senate committee on national defense with finance.

READ: DND wants terror suspects detained for 60 days for case build-up

“Medyo mahirap ipasa,” Lacson, chair of  the defense committee, said in an interview after the hearing.

“Dahil yung 14 days nga lang, I expect to see resistance from the progressive-minded lawmakers,” he added.

The senator was referring to his own bill, which seeks to extend the reglementary period to only 14 days, extendible by judicial authorization for another 15 days.

Lacson believes that his proposal would be enough for authorities to gather  more evidence against terror suspects.

“In fact, ibang countries nga walang limit, not only 14 days, mas mahaba pa,” the senator pointed out.

Aside from Lacson, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto and Senator Imee Marcos have also filed separate bills, amending this law.

Their proposals  gained the support of neophyte Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong Go.

Dela Rosa, a former police chief, though wanted the period of detention to be extended up to 30 days or one month.

Go, meanwhile, wanted  the law to cover those who also use the social media for terrorism. /jpv